It all started with a dream.
That’s how the idea for Kris Trudeau’s new book, TimeShift, came together.
Originally from Starbuck, Manitoba (about a 25-minute drive from Winnipeg), Trudeau moved to the Valley five years ago. A web designer/graphic designer by trade, she admits she never did any “real writing” prior to sitting down and creating her novel - a book six years in the making.
“I have ridiciously vivid dreams. One dream was really good; I got out recipe cards and started storyboarding,” she explains of the book which features four different storylines set in 2097.
The novel explores the world of time travel and artifical intellegence which follows three teams and the tasks they have to undertake.
Not one to be detered from a challenge, Trudeau completed the book, and faced the reality of self-publishing.
“It’s so much more of an uphill battle. There’s also a stigma attached to it too.”
So what did Trudeau do?
“I started a publishing company.”
Laclu Publishing (named after a lake on the Manitoba/Ontario border - Lake of the Woods) printed 200 copies of Trudeau’s book right before Christmas for family and friends.
“I always say, ‘What’s the most impossibly difficult way to do soemthing?’ Let’s do it,’ ” she added with a laugh.
With her experience as a designer, she created and designed the book cover, and admitted she never truly suffered a case of writer’s block.
“I did have the story unravel a couple of times, but with the sci-fi/fiction genre, it’s a little bit more forgiving.”
Following more edits and proofs, Trudeau is formally launching her book locally this week, but has a distribution plan in mind for the Island and online sellers.
She admits one of her biggest challenges was meeting new people - especially when she moved to the Valley.
“I didn’t really know anyone, so with lots of networking, I started getting my name out there.”
The networking paid off for Trudeau in her new home on the Island. In addition to writing her book, she continued her work through her business - Halftone Pixel - and was selected as one of the Comox Valley’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2014.
In 2015, she mentored a student from North Island College’s business program, and was a finalist in the Island’s Top 20 Under 40 Business and Community Awards.
“It’s incredible when people tell me they enjoyed the story and the characters,” she said. “To spend time reading the novel - something I created - is one of the biggest thrills.”